Parents' Guide to The Young Lions

Movie NR 1958 167 minutes
The Young Lions movie poster: Sketched headshots of the three main actors, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin

Common Sense Media Review

Stefan Pape By Stefan Pape , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

WWII drama explores antisemitism in Europe and the U.S.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Young Lions: Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin conversing with a female friend
  • The Young Lions: Two German soldiers readying a shot in war
  • The Young Lions: Marlon Brando peering through barbed wire

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What's the Story?

THE YOUNG LIONS delves into the horrors of World War II from both sides. Christian Diestl (Marlon Brando) is a lieutenant in the German army, reconciling his complicity in the inhumane acts his fellow countrymen are inflicting on the Jewish people. Then for the allies, there is Jewish American soldier Noah Ackerman (Montgomery Clift), the subject of antisemitic bullying and abuse at the hands of his fellow soldiers, aside from his close friend Michael Whiteacre (Dean Martin), who is also trying to survive in a world filled with death and destruction.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Featuring an all-star cast led by the inimitable Brando, Edward Dmytryk's 1958 film distinguishes itself among other WWII dramas by examining both sides of the conflict with remarkable humanity. Brando's Christian, a German national who naively joins the Nazi movement as a soldier, undergoes a powerful transformation in The Young Lions as he confronts the regime's brutality. The film courageously allows his character to express growing disillusionment with his country's path prior to the war, offering viewers crucial insight into how ordinary Germans became entangled in such darkness. Running parallel is the equally compelling story of two American soldiers—one Jewish and facing antisemitism from his own countrymen—which creates a thoughtfully balanced narrative. These skillfully interwoven storylines result in a film of surprising depth that remains relevant today.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the events of World War II, as depicted in The Young Lions. How did it make you feel seeing some of the atrocities from this time period? How to talk with kids about violence, crime, war, and tragedy.

  • Discuss the character of Christian. How did he and his way of thinking change as the story progressed? Did you think it was a realistic portrayal? Why, or why not?

  • Noah was subjected to antisemitism from his fellow countrymen in the U.S. army. Did this surprise you? What do you think this demonstrated about this time period?

  • How were smoking and drinking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Do you think attitudes toward smoking and drinking have changed from when the movie was set and filmed?

Movie Details

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The Young Lions movie poster: Sketched headshots of the three main actors, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin

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